Question
Kindly provide the authenticity of the following narration:
Rasulullah (sallallahu ‘alayhi wasallam) has mentioned:
‘A group of people shall appear towards the end of time – [referring to one of the individuals present, Nabi – sallallahu ‘alayhi wasallam – said:] it’s as if this [person] is amongst them – they will read the Quran, [but] it will not pass their throats. They will leave Islam [i.e. renounce the true faith] just as an arrow pierces through the game animal. Their [i.e. these people’s] identifying characteristic will be the shaving [of their heads]. They will continue to appear until the last of them [finally] arrives with the Dajjal…’
Answer
This is part of a longer narration which Imams Nasai, Ahmad, and others (rahimahumullah) have recorded on the authority of Sayyiduna Abu Barzah (radiyallahu ‘anhu).
(Al-Mujtaba, Hadith: 4103; Also see: Musannaf ibn Abi Shaybah, Hadith: 30824, and Musnad Ahmad, vol. 4 pg. 421)
Imam Hakim (rahimahullah) has also recorded this narration and has graded it as authentic.
(Mustadrak Hakim, vol. 2 pg. 146-147)
‘Allamah Haythami (rahimahullah) has graded all the narrators [in the chain of Musnad Ahmad] as credible.
(Majma’uz Zawaid, vol. 6 pg. 229; Also see the footnotes of Shaykh Muhammad ‘Awwamah -hafizahullah- on Musannaf ibn Abi Shaybah, Hadith: 30824)
And Allah Ta’ala knows best.
Answered by: Moulana Farhan Shariff
Approved by: Moulana Muhammad Abasoomar